The Connecticut Appellate Court upheld a $1.5 million jury verdict for a man who paid to rebuild his house after he was labeled an arsonist by Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co.

C. Andrew Riley sued the Hartford-based insurance giant for breach of contract and negligent infliction of emotional distress for failing to cover his losses after a 2009 house fire. Travelers tried to claim Riley used a kerosene heater to burn down his home, but the jury awarded him $1 million in emotional distress and another $504,000 for breach of contract in June 2014. Superior Court Judge David Sheridan added $76,000 in pre-judgment interest.

Riley is now owed more than $2 million because of the 10 percent annual post-judgment interest mandated by state law.